New Dory Trading Post part of exciting developments in Youngstown

by jmaloni

Sat, Jun 15th 2013 07:00 am

Jane Dey and Elizabeth Beaty of the new Dory Trading Post, 435 Main St., in Youngstown, invite area residents to stop by Thursday during Street Dance for the store's soft opening. (photos by Terry Duffy)

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It
features 'a little bit of everything'

by
Terry Duffy

As
planning continues for a new Civic Center in Lewiston, there's a
whole host of "undercurrents" that have been taking place of late
in Youngstown as that tiny village at the mouth of the lake forges
ahead on its own future.

Already
in the works is a revamped marina operation at the renamed Fox BoyZ
Marine on Water Street and Mike Fox's new jetboat operation,
Niagara Jet Adventures.

"Many
new things are now going on behind the scenes," said Fox this week,
telling Youngstown Business and Professional Association members that
his first boat, being built by partner Chris Bohnenkamp, owner of
Bohnenkamp's Whitewater Customs of Meridian, Idaho, is nearly
complete and is expected to debut in Youngstown this August. Also
moving along on Water Street is construction of a boathouse with
bleachers to handle passengers, plans for a people-mover
transportation service for customers that's intended to thwart off
any parking issues on Water Street, and a soon-to-debut website and
ticket sales arrangements.

Out
on Lake Road, Bandana's owners Rob and Melissa Kudel just announced
plans for a new bed and breakfast venture - Bandanna's B&B,
that will be opening across the street from their bar and grill in
November. "We're really looking forward to promoting the area,"
said Melissa. She reports the new B&B, being developed in
partnership with contractor Robert Macvie Inc. will feature five
bedrooms and baths, all in a distinct Youngstown theme to promote the
area's rich history, nautical flavor and artistic tastes. Breakfast
will be served daily starting at 6 a.m. and the new B&B is
expected to offer guests a whole slew of offerings, from chartering
packages on the river to on-site activities such as hiking and winter
snowshoeing.

Over
at Fort Niagara State Park, plans are quietly moving along on an
anticipated redevelopment of the former Commandant's House and
nearby barracks into luxury suites and a 48-room inn, along with a
restaurant, and ballroom/convention center/theatre complex. According
to various sources Acquest Development LLC of Buffalo, which earlier
transformed the former Dulski Federal Office Building in downtown
Buffalo into an upscale Embassy Suites hotel, condos, and a business
and retail center, is moving along in partnership with the state
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the
National Park Service toward making the project a reality. Acquest,
which signed a 40-year lease for 20 acres of Fort Niagara parkland
with OPRHP in 2010, has been building support with the Village of
Youngstown and the YBPA and expects to make an announcement in the
near future.

And
just announced this week is a new venture to reopen the long popular
Dory in the village.

Lake
Road residents Aaron and Jane Dey, along with Youngstown resident
Elizabeth Beaty and Gary and Marilyn Brennan of Brennan's Irish Pub
announced plans to open The Dory Trading Post in the former store at
435 Main St.

"This
is exciting news," said Youngstown Village Trustee Tim Adamson this
week to YBPA members.

The
new store will hold a soft opening this Thursday, June 20, coinciding
with the Beginning of Summer Street Dance taking place on Main Street
in the village from 6 to 10 p.m.

"We
are passing the baton from Sue Mac Naughton to us, because it was an
iconic spot here in town," said Jane, AKA "Miss Jane," a bar
staffer at Brennan's. "We want to honor Youngstown, because right
now there isn't any central place anybody can go to find
information, do a little shopping, just get to know some of the
locals."

"When
we moved here that store (already) had been closed," said Aaron,
originally from southern Ontario, who with his wife Jane, formerly of
Florida, have been residents of the Youngstown area for about three
years. "It's such a needed thing for this area."

"We
need a little thing to benefit our locals," Jane added.

The
new operation will cater to visitors with information on area events
and attractions, feature local artists from the river region, and
carry loads of gifts and wares with an emphasis on items created in
the Niagara region and a focus on Youngstown, said Aaron. He notes
the Trading Post name add-on highlights Old Fort Niagara, complete
with a kiosk, recognizing the role it has played on the area's
history.

Both
said the Dory Trading Post will feature both Fort Niagara as well as
Youngstown oriented items for sale; serve as the local ticket seller
for the aforementioned Niagara Jet Adventures jetboat offerings; and
serve as a promotional center for the Youngstown area. "We going to
promote businesses," said Aaron.

"We're
going to include Tuscarora (art) work," said Jane, along with
pieces from local artists such as jewelry, crafts and carvings.

They
note the store's Thursday soft opening will feature Tuscarora
beaders on site, along with native cultural exhibits and
entertainment and re-enactors from the fort. "It'll be a little
bit of everything, so people will know what we're doing, Jane
added.

Aaron
adds that, over the next month, The Dory Trading Post will be
stocking its shelves with a variety of interesting clothing and
artistic items with a local theme, be it fort-related, the yacht
club, the river or the area's history. "The store promises to
keep its offerings fresh, interesting and will also offer what you
can purchase in the store online with a new website being developed
now.

Stop
by the new Dory Trading Post at Street Dance to check them out, or
visit www.dorytradingpost.com
for more on this new offering for Youngstown.